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Response Time


            A strange thing happened at the Bruins’ game last night.  In the middle of the game, the fire alarm went off.  The funny part was that no one moved.  Everyone just sat in their seats or continued to wait in line at the concession.  In fact, the game continued for several minutes until the referees finally halted play until the staff at the rink shut the alarm off again.  Overall, it was sort of odd. 

            Now compare that reaction to the one at the fire hall.  As soon as a call comes in, firefighters spring into action, right?  They slide down a pole so as to not waste precious seconds on the stairs.  Their trucks are packed and ready to roll.  They never have to call back and say, “We will be right there.  We just have to go fill the truck up with gas first”.   Firefighters never look outside and say, “You know, we just waxed the truck and the street looks really slushy and dirty.  Maybe we can go to the fire after everything dries up”.   When a call comes in, firefighters get to the scene as quickly as possible.  Delays and excuses are unacceptable. 
  
           Last week I was reading about a man named Barak.  In Judges 4, he is told, “The Lord, the God of Israel, commands you: ‘Go, take with you ten thousand men… to Mount Tabor’” (Verse 6).  There he was to fight against God’s enemies and protect the people. 

            Instead of going, though, Barak refuses.  He does not take God at his word and he does not listen to the command.  Eventually, he agrees to go, but only if Deborah the prophetess goes with him (verse 8).  In the end, God gives his people the victory that he promised, but Barak forfeits the blessing that he should have received.  Instead of being the hero, the honour went to a woman named Jael (verse 9).

           All of this has me thinking that our response to God is important.  I believe that God calls us into his service in many situations and in various ways.  If that is true, the key question is not, “What is God asking you to do?” but, “How are you responding?”   Are you ready to go, or are you waiting?  Are you filled with confidence or excuses? Are you ignoring the alarm, or are you jumping to action?

            We cannot earn our salvation, but our response to the call of God is important. Ultimately, our response will determine whether we hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:21) or not.

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